PLAN B analog blog

I realize when I say things like 'bright little light' you probably
think I'm being a bit over the edge, but I have to tell ya..this is
the way is was with her.  Ask Tim Johnston from this list - he met her
once, he knows.  

Picture the most delicate, pretty and hip older woman you can, add a
heeps of charm, warmth and wit and you're getting close.  When she
walked into a room heads would turn.  She just had this type of grace.
A true aristocrat and beyond modest.

For instance - I was taking her to a concert once to keep her from
driving across LA at night which she would have otherwise.  On the way
over, I say something like  - Oh,  you worked with John Cage, what was
he like to work with:?  Small talk like that.

Her reply was priceless "Yes, we did a project together once".

A project.

The Williams Mix....a 'project'

Well, that 'project' was one of the most important pieces of music
composed in the mid 20th century.   That project changed the direction
of new music and the heads of countless composers.

Once we got to the performance we quickly realized it was going to be
be one of those painful new music gatherings.  The house was packed. 
At one point an instrumentalist did something with her instrument to make a noise with it it wasn't designed to and within the context of the rest of the piece it was a bit silly.  The house was silent through this of course, all accept Bebe, who burst into laughter.  She was possibly the only person in that auditorium that could get away with that.  You gotta love it.

We met under odd circumstance. I kept seeing her at music gatherings
and concerts and such and we share a mutual friend Barry Schrader. 
Barry I will add has been tremendous with Bebe for eons,
taking her to dinner her twice a month, every month for probably the
last 20 years.  Anyway, It was getting ridiculous us always bumping
into one another and this time I just walked up to her and in my often obnoxious loud voice said 'Bebe, if we keep hanging out at the same places like this people are going to think we're dating'.  This cracked her up and she came back with she thought we should start dating! And that was it.  She and I clicked.  She mentioned she and her husband Leonard considered me family. I warned not to say that because that's when I start showing up for dinner unannounced and
asking to borrow money!   I would call her all the time, I loved
calling that lady. We would just sit on the phone laughing.  She had a
great spirit, a heart melting smile and more information in her than
the Library of Congress on the Mid 20th century New York art scene. 
Her friends included Arthur Miller, Dalton Trumbo, John Cage, Morton
Feldman, hell, all of the composers.  Her best friend was Anaïs Nin,
Her memorial is being held at Anaïs LA home.

I last visited Bebe about six weeks ago.  She was then back home after
a brief stay in the hospital.  I'm glad this was the last time.  She
was alert, she was sweet and as always we had each other laughing.  She kept clutching my hand, she wouldn't let go.  That was significant and really touching.

We're gonna miss her indeed. I 'll give you guys some details on the
memorial service later this week.  There are some special things planned.

- P


.> wrote:
>
> :(
> 
> Such a sad thing...
> A big loss for the music community !
> All my sympathy Peter :)
> 
> sincerely
> 
> g.
> --- In PLAN_B_analog_blog@yahoogroups.com, "(i think you can figure
that out)" 
> <peter@> wrote:
> >
> > Today we lost a bright little light and a dear friend.
> > Bebe Barron has passed.  She has captivated us with her charm, her
> > modesty and her enchanting smile and her memory will remain in our
> > hearts, our art and our spirit forever.
> >
>